Bahrain Shutting Out Expats Whilst Dubai Hangs Out The Welcome Banner

Bahrain lawmakers are planning to restrict expat public sector contracts to a two-year maximum.

The bad news from Bahrain seems to deliberately contradict a statement by Dubai officials that close on 700,000 expat resident entry permits were granted to GCC nationals over the past two years. Previously, the Bahraini government had already approved a scheme to get rid of all expat civil servants within the next four years, but a specially-appointed cabinet is now examining the new proposal in the light of two-year expat contracts which can be immediately taken over by Bahraini nationals.

In addition, last month the emirate’s parliament confirmed a probe into recruitment of expats by the government itself, as well as supporting the total Bahrainisation of the entire public sector. In addition, companies with a majority stake owned by the government will have their hiring of expats reviewed, thus closing almost all of Bahrain’s borders to expat workers. At the present time, Dubai is doing the exact opposite, and is now the most prominent destination for foreign expat professionals in the entire GCC region.

Local Dubai media are now reporting a quote by the assistant director of the emirate’s Entry and Residence Permits department in which he revealed some 321,000 entry permits were granted last year. According to the director, his visa department is working round the clock to ensure expat residents in the GCC region don’t have to wait too long for approval. Whilst GCC nationals don’t need visas, expats already working in the region can apply via the agency’s website or by using the GDRFA app. Once the visa is approved, applicants will receive an e-visa entitling them to enter the UAE.